Chief Development Officer (CDO)

Austin, Texas (Hybrid)

The Opportunity

The SAFE Alliance is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead a transformational phase of philanthropic growth and organizational impact.

This is not a maintenance role. This is a build, scale, and lead role.

The SAFE Alliance (SAFE) is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Central Texas, operating at the intersection of crisis response, prevention, housing stability, and long-term healing. With an annual operating budget of approximately

$30M and philanthropy as a critical revenue driver, SAFE is poised for its next phase of growth.

The Chief Development Officer will partner directly with the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Leadership Team to build a high-performing, accountable development function that can sustain and expand SAFE’s impact across the region.

This leader will be responsible for both delivering near-term revenue results and building the long-term systems and strategy required to scale philanthropy.

Why This Role, Why Now

SAFE has strong community credibility, mission urgency, and programmatic scale. The organization is already operating at meaningful size and impact—but the development function has not yet reached the level of discipline, infrastructure, and performance required to sustain the next phase of growth.

This role exists to close that gap.

The next phase of SAFE’s trajectory requires more than incremental improvement. It requires building a development function that is both high performing in the near term and structurally sound for long-term scale. That means delivering revenue today while putting in place the systems, processes, and expectations that make growth repeatable.

This role is designed to:

• Build a disciplined, data-informed, and scalable fundraising engine from a partially developed foundation

• Expand major and principal gift capacity while strengthening donor strategy and execution

• Establish the systems, tools, and processes required for consistent performance and accountability

• Activate the CEO and Board more fully in fundraising through shared ownership of relationships

• Align development, marketing, communications, and external engagement into a cohesive external strategy

• Prepare the organization for ongoing capital needs and future campaign opportunities

This is a defining leadership role at a pivotal moment—requiring a leader who can build, execute, and partner at a high level simultaneously.

Growth Mandate & Revenue Accountability

This role carries clear responsibility for both fundraising performance and long-term revenue growth.

The Chief Development Officer is expected to deliver measurable results in the near term while building the systems, strategy, and relationships required for sustained growth over time.

Key expectations include:

• Grow annual philanthropic revenue from approximately $15M to $20M+ over the next 2–3 years

• Build and manage a major and principal gift portfolio targeting gifts of $25,000 to $250,000+

• Increase donor retention, average gift size, and multi-year commitments

• Expand revenue across individuals, corporations, and foundations

• Reactivate and grow a portfolio of dormant and lapsed donors, unlocking existing but under- leveraged relationships

• Strengthening the major gifts pipeline, including identification, qualification, and movement of high-capacity prospects

• Drive greater engagement and accountability from the CEO and Board in fundraising, resulting in increased participation and giving

• Establish clear performance metrics, reporting, and forecasting to enable disciplined revenue management

• Build a diversified and resilient philanthropic portfolio that reduces volatility and supports long- term sustainability

Success will be measured by both revenue outcomes and the strength, sustainability, and scalability of the development function.

The Role & Core Responsibilities

The Chief Development Officer is a senior executive responsible for building, integrating, and leading SAFE’s overall external engagement and philanthropic strategy.

This leader will operate as both a strategic architect and a hands-on fundraiser—personally engaging top donors while building the systems, team, and cross-functional alignment required for long-term growth.

This role requires the ability to deliver near-term revenue results while strengthening infrastructure, performance, and accountability across the development function and related teams.

Revenue Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities and growth targets

• Lead all aspects of philanthropy, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, and foundation support

• Personally manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects

• Translate SAFE’s scale, impact, and system-level value into compelling philanthropic investment opportunities

Major & Principal Gifts

• Build and grow a disciplined pipeline of major and principal gift donors

• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top-tier donors

• Partner closely with the CEO to co-develop and execute strategies for high-level donor relationships

• Ensure shared ownership of key relationships, activating the CEO and Board effectively in cultivation and stewardship

Capital Strategy & Campaign Readiness

• Lead strategy for ongoing capital needs, including development of cases for support and targeted fundraising efforts

• Assess and strengthen organizational readiness for future campaign opportunities

• Build the lead donor pipeline and structures required for capital investment over time

Development Infrastructure & Operations

• Build and strengthen systems, processes, and reporting to support disciplined, scalable growth

• Optimize CRM, donor analytics, segmentation, and performance tracking

• Establish clear forecasting, goal setting, and accountability structures across the function

• Drive a data-informed culture that links activity to outcomes

Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead, coach, and develop a development team of approximately 10 staff, including individuals with varied levels of fundraising experience

• Oversee communications and marketing staff (approximately 3 team members), ensuring alignment with fundraising strategy and organizational positioning

• Assess team structure, capabilities, and performance; make adjustments as needed to strengthen execution and results

• Establish clear roles, expectations, and performance metrics across teams

• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and professional development

External Strategy, Marketing & Communications

• Oversee and align marketing and communications as a core component of fundraising and external engagement strategy

• Ensure consistency and strength in messaging, brand positioning, and storytelling

• Strengthen how SAFE communicates its impact, value, and role within broader public systems

• Integrate donor engagement, communications, and external visibility into a cohesive strategy

Board & CEO Partnership

• Strengthen board engagement, accountability, and participation in fundraising

• Equip board members with tools, structure, and clear expectations

• Partner with the Board Development Committee to increase giving and involvement

• Work in close partnership with the CEO to expand external relationships, co-manage key donors, and drive strategic engagement

Cross-Functional Leadership & Integration

• Partner closely with the CFO to align fundraising strategy with financial planning, forecasting, and organizational sustainability

• Collaborate with internal teams responsible for government and institutional funding to ensure alignment across funding streams

• Strengthening coordination across development, programs, finance, and external partners to support a unified strategy

• Operate effectively within evolving structures, helping to shape how fundraising and related functions are organized over time

SAFE Alliance Foundation Leadership

• Serve as the functional Executive Director of the SAFE Alliance Foundation, which exists to support the mission and sustainability of SAFE

• Partner closely with the Foundation Chair and Board (including the PNC) to guide strategy, governance, and philanthropic investment decisions

• Align Foundation priorities, investments, and fundraising strategy with the broader goals of SAFE

• Support and strengthen Foundation board engagement, including stewardship, growth, and participation

• Ensure strong coordination between Foundation activities and the organization’s overall development strategy

• Navigate dual accountability to organizational and Foundation leadership with clarity, transparency, and strategic alignment

First 12 Months: Priorities & Outcomes

Months 1–3: Assessment & Alignment

• Build trust with leadership, board members, and key donors

• Conduct a full assessment of development performance, pipeline, and infrastructure

• Refine and strengthen the case for support

Months 4–6: Strategy & Infrastructure

• Implement a clear major gifts strategy and donor segmentation

• Establish individualized plans for top donors and prospects

• Identify and begin closing infrastructure and process gaps

Months 7–12: Execution & Momentum

• Demonstrate measurable progress toward revenue targets

• Strengthening board participation in fundraising

• Deliver a campaign readiness plan, including goal, timeline, and lead donor strategy

Candidate Profile

SAFE is seeking a leader who can deliver results in the near term while building systems, teams, and partnerships that sustain long-term growth.

This role requires a combination of strategic clarity, operational discipline, and relational intelligence, along with the ability to lead through complexity and evolving structures.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising leadership experience, including oversight of multi-million- dollar revenue portfolios

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent years of professional-level relevant experience is acceptable in lieu of a bachelor’s degree

• Advanced degree in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or related field preferred

• Proven success securing and closing major and principal gifts, including direct responsibility for high- capacity donor relationships

• Demonstrated experience building or significantly strengthening development functions, including systems, processes, and team performance

• Experience working closely with executive leadership and boards in advancing fundraising strategy and outcomes

• Experience overseeing or closely integrating marketing and communications with fundraising strategy preferred

• Experience with capital strategy, campaign readiness, or targeted capital efforts strongly preferred

Leadership Capabilities

• Builder mindset: able to assess, design, and implement systems and structures that improve performance over time

• Execution-oriented: comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels, with clear accountability for outcomes

• Team leader and developer of talent: able to coach, support, and elevate team performance while making necessary changes when expectations are not met

• High emotional intelligence and maturity: able to build trust, navigate complexity, and operate effectively within shared leadership environments

• Strong executive presence: credible and compelling with donors, board members, and external partners

• Comfort with ambiguity and change: able to lead effectively in environments where structures, roles, and strategies are evolving

Core Competencies

• Deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and portfolio management

• Strong business acumen and performance orientation, including goal setting, forecasting, and metrics- driven management

• Ability to translate organizational impact and system-level value into compelling cases for philanthropic investment

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders

• Ability to align and integrate fundraising, communications, and external engagement into a cohesive strategy

Board & Leadership Environment

SAFE’s leadership and board are committed to strengthening their role in advancing philanthropy.

This role operates in close partnership with the CEO and Board, with shared ownership of key relationships and fundraising outcomes.

The CDO will play a key role in:

• Building shared accountability for fundraising outcomes across leadership and board members

• Increasing board engagement, participation, and giving

• Establishing clear expectations, structures, and support systems for effective board involvement

• Activating the CEO and Board in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

Compensation & Benefits

At SAFE, we recognize that meaningful leadership starts with strong support. Our benefits are designed to care for the whole person—so you can focus on advancing our mission and expanding our impact.

• The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000, commensurate with experience

• Our benefits package is designed to support your well-being, sustainability, and long-term impact— featuring employer-paid health, life, and disability coverage, along with a suite of flexible, family-friendly benefit options.

• We offer generous paid time off, holidays, and personal days to encourage balance, as well as a 403(b)- retirement plan with employer contributions that grow with your tenure. Benefits begin shortly after hire, reflecting our commitment to supporting those who drive meaningful change from day one.

Location

This is a hybrid role based in Austin, Texas, requiring regular in-person engagement across all SAFE locations and the community.

About The SAFE Alliance

The SAFE Alliance is a leading nonprofit serving individuals and families impacted by abuse, violence, and exploitation across Central Texas.

Formed through the merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, SAFE provides an integrated continuum of services including prevention, crisis intervention, advocacy, shelter, housing, and long-term healing support.

SAFE operates on a meaningful scale, reaching thousands of individuals each year through direct services and partnerships across schools, hospitals, courts, and public systems.

The mission is to interrupt the cycle of abuse by cultivating safety, healing, and just outcomes.

Application Process

Please submit applications through our official process only; we do not accept materials via email or social media. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and all candidates will receive timely updates via email.

Click here to be redirected to the application page: Chief Development Officer Application

SARC Executive Director Job Description

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of SARC (Brazos County Rape Crisis Center, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving survivors of sexual assault and preventing sexual violence throughout the seven-county Brazos Valley, Texas region.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED provides strategic, financial, operational, and organizational leadership to ensure SARC’s long-term sustainability, fiscal health, program excellence, and community impact. The ED serves as the primary spokesperson, chief fundraiser, and principal advocate for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of SARC’s strategic plan in partnership with the Board.

• Establish and maintain effective organizational structure, policies, and operational systems.

• Foster a mission-driven, accountable, and collaborative organizational culture.

• Ensure high-quality program delivery and measurable community impact.

• Serve as chief spokesperson and represent SARC to donors, grantors, media, elected officials, and community partners.

• Advocate for public policy and funding that supports survivors and prevention initiatives.

• Oversee facility management and organizational infrastructure.

• Represent SARC on local, regional, and state boards, committees, and coalitions.

2. Fund Development & Grant Management

• In conjunction with SARC leadership staff, develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes:

  • Individual donor cultivation and major gifts

  • Corporate sponsorships

  • Foundation grants

  • State and federal government grants

  • Special events and capital campaigns (as applicable)

• Lead all aspects of grant research, writing, submission, compliance, reporting, and stewardship.

• Build and sustain relationships with private funders, foundations, and government agencies.

• Cultivate and steward major donors and funding partners.

• Oversee donor development systems and fundraising performance metrics.

3. Financial Management & Accountability

• Provide overall fiscal leadership and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

• Develop and manage the annual operating and capital budgets for Board approval.

• Monitor financial performance and ensure responsible stewardship of all funds.

• Deliver transparent, accurate, and timely financial reports to the Board and funding partners.

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and grant-related financial requirements.

• Oversee preparation of required governmental and grant reports.

• Partner with the independent auditor to facilitate the annual audit process.

• Maintain strong internal financial controls and risk management practices.

4. Board Relations & Governance

• Partner closely with the Board President to support effective governance.

• Maintain regular, clear, and proactive communication with the Board.

• Support Board recruitment, orientation, education, and engagement.

• Advise Board committees and provide appropriate staff support.

• Assist the Board in fulfilling fiduciary and fundraising responsibilities.

• Plan and facilitate annual Board retreat(s).

• Serve as ex-officio member of all Board committees.

5. Human Resources & Organizational Development

• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate senior leadership and staff.

• Conduct annual performance evaluations and support professional development.

• Ensure compliance with all employment laws and HR regulations.

• Oversee onboarding processes for staff and Board members.

• Develop and supervise volunteer engagement and oversight systems.

• Promote a positive, ethical, and trauma-informed workplace culture.

6. Program Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of program development, implementation, and evaluation.

• Ensure program budgets align with funding requirements and organizational priorities.

• Monitor program outcomes, fiscal health, and contract compliance.

• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.

Desired Leadership Characteristics

SARC seeks a visionary, ethical, and collaborative leader who:

• Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and accountability

• Excels in relationship-building and community engagement

• Is comfortable serving as the public face of the organization

• Values teamwork, inclusivity, and staff development

• Embraces innovation and continuous improvement

• Is mission-driven and passionate about advocacy for survivors

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, nonprofit management, public administration, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of senior-level nonprofit leadership experience.

• Demonstrated success in:

  • Fundraising and donor cultivation

  • Grant writing and grant administration

  • Financial management and budget oversight (experience managing budgets exceeding $1M preferred)

  • Community engagement and public advocacy

• Experience leading or implementing a capital campaign preferred.

• Proficiency in nonprofit financial and donor management software (e.g., QuickBooks Nonprofit, donor database systems, grant management platforms).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Bilingual ability preferred.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background and credit checks.

Compensation and Benefits

SARC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include generous vacation and holiday leave. Following 60 days of continuous full-time employment, eligible employees may enroll in available group health, dental, and life insurance benefits.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SARC provides equal employment opportunities to applicants, employees, and clients without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, political belief, or veteran status.

• Job #: 2026-03

• TWC Job #: 16915856

• Opening Date: 9/09/2025

• Travel Required: Up to 10%

• Monthly Salary: $5,083.34 - $5,337.50

• Position Location: Austin, TX

• Group Step: B19

• Class: 1572

• Status: Open

Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force Program Coordinator – Austin, Texas

The Office of the Governor is looking for a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force Program Coordinator (Program Specialist III) to work in the Public Safety Office.

Who We Are

The Office of the Governor works to build a healthier, safer, freer, and more prosperous future for all Texans. We are located primarily within the Texas State Capitol Complex in Austin.

What You’ll Earn

The salary is $5,083.34 - $5,337.50 a month ($61,000.08 - $64,050.00 a year).

Benefits include medical insurance, sick leave, and vacation leave. Also, State of Texas employees are eligible for a defined retirement plan. Learn more: https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits

What You’ll Do

This is a job that performs complex (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work.  The focus of this position is providing support and coordination for the Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force. Work includes coordinating meetings, disseminating information to various parties including members, frequent contact with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and performing other internal support work.

• Coordinates FV-CH Prevention Task Force meetings, including Steering Committee meetings, and other meetings as required.

• Coordinates, prepares, edits, and distributes meeting materials, meeting minutes, meeting correspondence, and other documents.

• Maintains and updates program documents including membership lists, timelines, reports, summaries, policies and procedures, and training and operating manuals.

• Compiles and edits data for charts, graphs, and databases.

• Assists in analyzing data and supports preparation of data summaries and reports.

• Ensures that FV-CH Prevention Task Force website and online resource directory content is comprehensive and up to date.

• Assists with preparation of periodic and special reports and ensures that deadlines are met.

• Assists with research and editing of agency publications such as brochures, forms, manuals, and reports.

• Manages and maintains schedules.

• Prepares and compiles presentation and training materials.

• May respond to general inquiries regarding FV-CH Prevention Task Force activities.

How You’ll Qualify

• High school graduate or equivalent; and

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in administrative assistance, support, and coordination.

Note: Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

You’re a Great Fit with

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in government, criminal justice programs, business, or a related field; and

• Experience in the field of criminal justice, victim advocacy, or crime victim rights.

Other Things to Know and When You Should Apply

It’s an excellent opportunity for professionals providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. Apply now by submitting a State of Texas application. Applications are reviewed daily.

The FV-CH Prevention Task Force and funding for this position are not intended to extend past January 1, 2028.

Veterans

Veterans, Reservists, or members of the Guard can compare this position to Military Occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office.

How to Apply

Applications are received only through Work In Texas. The OOG requires all sections of the state application to be completed. Omission of data on the state application is grounds for disqualification of the application. Requests for accommodation should be made to the Human Resources office as early as possible in the application/employment process. 

Apply Online at Work in Texas

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Office of the Governor is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all new employees to present proof of eligibility to work in the United States within three (3) days of being hired. The Office of the Governor participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Male candidates between 18 and 25 years of age are required to show proof of Selective Service registration (or exemption) prior to an offer of employment being extended. Such proof is not required to be filed with an application but must be provided upon request by the Human Resources office. For additional information pertaining to Selective Service registration, you may visit www.sss.gov. View a copy of the Agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Utilization Report.

Notice to Applicants Who May Require Reasonable Accommodation in the Interview Process

Applicants with disabilities who may need to discuss special accommodations during the interview process should email the OOG’s Reasonable Accommodation Program Manager or call 512-463-8315 in the Human Resources Department. If reasonably possible, please call at least 48 hours in advance to afford our representative and the hiring division sufficient time to properly review and coordinate your request.